The story of
Porsche dates back to long before the establishment
of the marque, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche playing
pivotal roles in so many illustrious marques,
such as Volkswagen, Austro-Daimler, Steyr and even
Cistalia (the French authorities freeing him after
the war with the Italian manufacturer paid them
a million francs so that they could secure his
services to design a new Grand Prix car). But
the best was always the one that bore his name,
and we think very few would disagree.
The first
iterations were based largely on the pre-war
Volkswagens, being a rear engined two seater
powered by a mildly tuned 69ci 1131cc VW flat
four engine. Production commenced I 1948, but
it was when manufacture was switched back to
Porsche’s original
Stuttgart base in 1950 that things really took off.
In 1951 output was 500 cars, and by 1956 the number
had grown to 10,000. The cars were nearly always successful
in any competition they entered, even in their debut
at Le Mans – a feat they would mimic 12 times
by 1987!
Ferry Porsche assumed control of the company
following the death of his father in 1952, and under
his guidance the 356 acquired bigger engines and more
power. By the mid 1950’s exports began to the
US, were there was an almost insatiable appetite for
anything Porsche. The 356 was replaced by the 911 in
1964, arguably the most famous of and recognisable
of any sports car. The 911, along with the company,
would continue to move upmarket – and they
represent one of the most sought after and collectible
classics to this day. Also see: Porsche Heritage
1950 - 1965
Perceived as a rather dumpy-looking rear-engined sports
car, the 356 was modelled on the VW Beetle which was also
designed by Ferdinand Porsche. Early editions of the 356
had split windscreens and an 1100cc flat four motor that
produced a mere 40 bhp. More>>
1964 - 1973
Released in 1964 this triumph of development over design
is still as popular as ever. Despite many variations the
pre-1974 are perceived as the best classics of this model.
It is interesting to note that if it had not been for
Peugeot, who had patented all three digit number configurations
that contained a Zero (0) in the middle, the 911 would
have been instead the 901. More>>
1969 - 1975
Born from a misconceived concept by Porsche to build an
affordable sports car for the masses, the 914 was launched
in 1969 using a Karmann-built targa top. Using the Volkswagen
sourced VW411 motor (producing 80bhp), its top speed
was a laclustre 107mph / 171kmh. More>>
1969 - 1972
After years of co-operation, Volkswagen and Porsche decided to launch a "combined" sports car in late 1969. Bearing the name VW -Porsche the new car was mid-engined, with an option of the 1.77 litre electronically-injected four-cylinder VW engine, or the two-litre Porsche "911 "six". More>>
1975 - 1985
The 924's life started as a VW, its powerplant and gearbox
came from Audi. The 924's 2L fuel-injected engine came
from Audi's 100 saloon. Porsche was designing its own
front engined model, the 928, at this point, but it appeared
after the 924 in 1977. More>>
1978 - 1995
For 17 years, this Porsche headed the model line-up in
luxury and power. The 928 was a tourer; only offered as
a 2-door coupe with a big V8 engine. The concept of the
928 originated in 1971. The model was first shown at the
Geneva Auto Show in March of 1977. By this time, the 928
was ready and running. More>>
1982 - 1991
The 944 was an overhauled version of the 924 and was everything
the 924 wasn't right from the start. As a result of the
944's release, Porsche decided to withdraw the 924 lineup
from the US market(the 924 came back to the US market
six years later as the 924S model). More>>
1987 - 1991
The 944 was an overhauled version of the 924 and was everything
the 924 wasn't right from the start. As a result of the
944's release, Porsche decided to withdraw the 924 lineup
from the US market(the 924 came back to the US market
six years later as the 924S model). More>>
